Everyone knows how difficult it was to win a Grand Slam title or a Masters 1000 when Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were in their ‘prime’. These three players monopolized men’s tennis for almost two decades, not forgetting Andy Murray, who had a truly exceptional career in which he won numerous titles and was world number 1.
The former Scottish champion – who retired last summer and is now Nole Djokovic’s coach – has won three Major titles, the same as Stan Wawrinka. The Swiss ace did not have the same consistency as the ‘Fab Four’, but he reached truly impressive peaks between 2014 and 2016.
In that time, the player from Lausanne triumphed at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and the US Open, not forgetting his victory at the Monte Carlo Masters 1000 by beating his illustrious compatriot Federer in the final.
Santoro praises Wawrinka
In a recent interview with ‘L’Equipe’, former French ace Fabrice Santoro was asked why Wawrinka won so much more than players like Tsonga, Monfils, Gasquet and Simon.
“The titles speak for themselves: Wawrinka has had a better career than Tsonga, Monfils, Gasquet and Simon” – said Santoro with extreme honesty. “At the beginning of their careers, I never imagined that things would turn out this way. I would never have thought so. When you win three Grand Slam tournaments, you automatically enter a different dimension. Stan was better than all of them. If Wawrinka is more talented than Jo and Gael? Absolutely not. However, it must be admitted that he had a better career” – he concluded.
‘Stanimal’s’ career is not over yet, although he is very far from his best level. The 3-time Grand Slam champion continues to enjoy playing tennis and competing against rivals much younger than him, dreaming of ending his career with one last high.
The same goes for Monfils, which has started 2025 in a really brilliant way.
